Should you hire a moving company or do the moving yourself? Here are some things to consider.
Choose the moving option that's right for you
If you're on your own and moving a small truckload across town, it might be an easy decision to grab a couple of good friends, find a truck, and move yourself. Or maybe you're a five-person household in a four-bedroom home. If your company is transferring you to another city and paying for the move, it's probably just as easy a decision to let the professionals handle it.
But what if your move falls somewhere in between? How do you decide whether you should hire a professional moving company or do it yourself?
Advantages of doing it yourself
- You spend less money if you pack and load yourself.
- You spend less by borrowing or renting a truck that you drive yourself.
- Packing and moving yourself gives you more control. Because you're responsible, you always know what's happening at every stage of the move.
Advantages of hiring a professional mover
- It might be worth the money to hire professionals who do this for a living. You'll spare yourself anxiety, not to mention your back!
- Moving companies have fleets of well-maintained trucks designed for moving, with suspension systems that are easier on your fragile belongings. And the drivers are pros.
- You can spare your family (and friends) many of the stresses of moving. The pros do this all day, every day.
- They know how to pack, lift, move, stack, and store.
- Professional storage facilities are typically much more secure and temperature-controlled.
Doing it yourself-what to consider
- Check the amounts and costs of packing supplies you'll need.
- Look at what you'll need to move, especially large, awkward, and heavy items such as refrigerators, furniture, and pianos. Determine whether you and your moving crew (family and friends) are willing and able to move them.
- Start looking around. Do you have volunteers with the brawn, reliability, know-how, and will to help you move?
- Figure the costs of the truck and other moving equipment that you will need.
- Check with your insurance agent about coverage options for a move. Your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover belongings while in transit. But you might be able to buy a rider that provides such coverage.
- Check your auto insurance for coverage of the truck you will be renting or borrowing. While your insurance might cover rented passenger vehicles, it probably won't cover rented commercial trucks.
Hiring a mover-what to consider
- If you have a huge amount of belongings, a large family, valuable antiques or multiple vehicles, you might really require the expertise.
- If your time is at a higher premium than money, then hire the job out. Packing and moving yourself can be significantly time-consuming.
- If you have back problems, consider whether you want to do a great amount of heavy lifting and moving. Even if you don't have back problems, one careless lift could cost you in medical and physical therapy bills.
- Obtain several estimates. Examine them closely to learn of any extra charges, such as for supplies, labor, overtime, pianos, vehicles, mileage or storage.
- Learn the cost and coverage of the different levels of insurance provided by the moving company.
- If you'll need storage, visit the company's storage facilities and get cost estimates. Be aware that because your belongings are stacked in containers, you won't be able to access your belongings.
Consider a hybrid moving effort
It's your move. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can handle certain aspects of the move yourself and have others done by the experts. Possible combinations:
- You pack and they move.
- You pack easy items, such as books, CDs, household records, toys, and clothes. They pack odd-sized or fragile items, such as artwork, china, collectibles, and electronic equipment.
- Hire professional movers to help pack, load, and unload your rented truck. Call local moving companies. They might have a list of employees willing to work directly for you on weekends.
Discuss your options with a moving company representative. They know that every household move is unique and can help you develop the scenario and estimate that fits your effort level, your schedule and your budget.
Whether you choose to move yourself, hire professionals or combine the two, the more planning and research you do ahead of time, the smoother and more cost-effective your move will be.
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Posted by: David | Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 09:51 PM